Nobody likes extra fees!
And after all the effort you put into marketing your business, the last thing you want is to get hit with a change fee when you’re in the final stages of your print project. Trust us, we’ve seen it all.
So whether you know the process or if you’ve never ordered print marketing materials before, there are a few sure-fire things you can do to prevent extra charges from being added to your final bill. You know what else? These tips will also help get your order completed quicker.
Here’s what you need to know when requesting a print quote to avoid unwanted fees and costs. Even knowing just a few of the following key details will drastically help your chances of minimizing fees.
Know What Print Product You Want
A lot of businesses come in knowing they need print marketing materials, but they have no idea where to begin. They’re not sure if they need brochures or flyers or large format banners, or something else entirely. The best thing you can do to avoid racking up change fees late in the process is to have a pretty good sense of the type of product you’re looking for.
Start by identifying why this print piece is needed, and work back from there. The more details you have, the easier it will be to place your order with no added costs. For example, if you go into the project thinking you need a tri-fold brochure, but later decide you need a saddle stitch bound book, you’re going to encounter some additional design charges. Narrow down what you’re looking for and stick to it to prevent paying more later.
Related: Why Your Digital Marketing Still Needs Print
Have an Estimated Quantity
The number of items you need to print is one of the primary factors you need to consider before requesting a quote. Try asking for a few varied quantities (100, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000) to get an idea of what the total cost will be. Remember that if you need more than 1,000 pieces, you can save money by using offset printing.
Moreover, consider buying more than what you need at the moment if your budget allows it. You might need more in the future, and purchasing just a small quantity might cost you more in the long run.
Think About Paper Stock
Paper can come in a variety of thicknesses and finishes, so it’s important to consider the material when assessing costs. Keep the intended longevity of the final product in mind when selecting your stock, and remember that higher quality paper will cost more. It wouldn’t hurt to know whether you need a coated or uncoated sheet, either.
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HAVE PRINT-READY GRAPHICS
Do you have print-quality graphics ready to go? If so, this will avoid the time a designer would need to create them and the rounds of revisions you would have along the way.
If you don’t have print-quality graphics – your vendor will be able to provide details on the file types you’ll need – begin the print quote process with a firm idea of what the graphics should look like. The clearer your creative direction is at the beginning, fewer revisions you will need from the design team, and the lower your cost will be.
Related: Why You Should Ask Your Printer About Their Creative Team
Have Your Copy Finalized
The same goes for the copy in your print piece. The fewer edits you make to the text, the fewer times the creative team will have to go into the draft document to make changes. Every time a designer opens a document to make changes, you also run the risk of errors occurring. You can avoid this issue entirely by thoroughly editing your copy before sending it to your print vendor.
Order in Advance
Rush charges are one of the most easily-preventable fees. Take a look at when you need your print pieces in-hand, and put together a schedule that incorporates production, delivery, and enough time to make any revisions or changes. Ideally, you could sidestep the revision period by preparing all of your graphics and copy ahead of time, but you should always account for it – just in case.
Without these specifications, a printer cannot accurately print or quote your project. So if you want to avoid extra fees, then you need to make sure that you have as much information as possible.
Once you have the details of your project laid down, reach out to Ironmark for high-quality, affordable printing services. Contact us today to get the ball rolling on your next print project!